On My Way Home

I’m sitting in the Vancouver, B.C. airport—YVR—waiting for my next flight that will take me home to Saskatchewan. I’ve just enjoyed an overpriced sandwich and am sipping on a Starbucks. It’s almost like the old days.

Young people are carrying on business on laptops and cell phones. I’m catching snippets of phrases that were once all too familiar to me like “once we see the fit-gap analysis,” “the numbers will change,” “statement of work,” and “there’s supposed to be an operating procedure.”  Other, older and more relaxed, individuals are reading or scrolling or scrolling or simply watching and waiting. I’m pleased to have graduated and become a member of that crowd.

I’ve been in Kamloops since last Friday visiting Daughter and Granddaughter. I enjoyed a visit with my bestie and, together, we enjoyed a Zoom visit with a dear old (as in long-time) friend. I did a titch of shopping. But what I have enjoyed most of all is one-on-one time with both Laurinda and Makiya.

Laurinda and I normally talk on the phone at least once every week day but being together in person is priceless. We went for a float together. Boy, have I missed my monthly visits to the sensory deprivation float tank. A cousin let me know they have a couple of facilities in Saskatoon. That’s a bit too far for a monthly visit, but it’s definitely a possibility when the weather allows.

We also pulled out Bananagrams and challenged one another to a few rousing games. She trounced me in most of them. As usual.

Makiya, at almost 15-years-old, is less likely to carry on a lot of phone chit-chat with her grandma, but we do now and then. We text more often. With her, especially, it’s a precious gift to spend time alone with one another. Our bond is a special one—always has been and I pray it will always be so. She opens up to me when we’re together and I listen, dropping an occasional snippet of grandma-type wisdom. Yesterday, she shared three goals she has set for her life. They’re good ones. I encouraged her to write them down and put them up on her wall so they can guide her.

Anyway, I’m heading home now. I miss Gerry and Molly and it’ll be good to sleep in our own bed tonight. Going away is fun, but it’s always so good to be home.